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Generative Design
Interview
Design Digitally,
Make Digitally
Where Codes and Algorithms are the New Tools of Architecture
Zubin Khabazi interviewed by Hannaneh Sobhani and Peyvand
Yavari
Creativity always starts by sketching some ideas and then jumping right into the drawing of plans, sections and three-dimensional
models on our laptops. But the conventional approaches do not fit
the ever-expanding technologies anymore. Generative design has
started to change the face of architecture recently, and as a matter
of fact, it is going to pervade more in the world of architecture in the
near future. Architect Zubin Khabazi explains the general principles
of this new field, in a simple language.
What is the general, principal difference between the process of
design in classic architecture and generative or algorithmic design?
To make a short statement of the difference, I would say that
the use of computer software actually started to change the way we
design spaces and also it affected the way we make architecture.
Fabrication is the new term that we use in this field. We started to
design everything by digital media and to deliver this design to the
machines that could make architectural products by means of digital
code. So in a way, we are trying to make a building made by digitally
designed and fabricated pieces.
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Generative Design
So you are using it as a tool for now, but if it becomes smarter and
more responsive then it will actually become a design method, not
a tool. Am I right?
Yes, even at the moment it is a way of designing, but there are
few people who can develop design algorithms. Lots of people are
using these software packages but they are all using the same methodology, which they have learned in tutorials or from known projects.
But if these new design technologies expand a little bit, I am sure we
will see more of peoples backgrounds or different impacts of classical
geometry or their methods of construction and this would change the
catalogue of forms we are looking at.
How about the role of the architect in the process of parametric
design? Is the architect an operator or a person who gathers information and puts it in the software? Or can he choose to put identity
and creativity into the process?
Of course the architect is still there, but instead of designing on
paper, you are using a different medium. In order to arrange your
ideas you need to code and you have to be capable of using design
algorithms through computation, knowing how your design will be
generated in a computer scheme. Still, there are many steps that the
designer should take, but the design medium has changed. So the
complexity of the project that requires an information process has
shifted from your mind to the computers mind and it helps you to ask
its power of data processing to think instead of you, but you define
almost everything for it.
This question has another aspect. Would all architects then be
creative? Or are some of them going to use the predefined algorithms
that are available from some online plug-ins? There are photography
apps that can change the look of photos on your iPhone, so now we
can do something that a professional graphic artist was doing ten years
ago! It would happen in architecture as well. It would be possible for so
many people to use these software packages just by using prepared
algorithms and systems.
It has been said that this design method would be so sustainable
and there will be no waste of energy and material. But on the other
hand, custom-producing every element requires a large budget.
What is your attitude towards this production method?
Theres a difference between what is happening now and the
ideal approach that we are working towards. At the moment it is not
really economical because we are using high-tech machines and
lots of materials.
I would say that what superstars like Zaha Hadid are doing is not
sustainable. But since these projects are mostly museums, high-quality
hotel projects or stadiums, lets say iconic projects, they have funds
from the government or investors. Maybe in five or ten years we will
see that these algorithms can deal with all the aspects of the building
at the same time to prevent the extra costs and be more sustainable.
Can you explain the term non-standard architecture, which every
component is going to be designed in the most efficient way, so there
wouldnt be any specific standard component anymore?
In standard architecture each component, for example doors
and stairs, is fabricated in factories by t method of mass production.
As personalization or customization appeared, industries decided
to change the quality or the appearance of the products based on
customers desires. So the idea of mass customization happened.
Digital machines were used to mass customize the products based
on market demand. Architects started to design complex projects,
which were not standard and then they subdivided these non-standard
projects into pieces that were similar, but not exactly the same and
digital fabrication machines were used to cut and make these building
pieces. These machines use digital codes and they cut shapes based
on these codes, so changing a code and asking for a different shape is
easily possible. It is actually happening now for wall systems of interiors
and faades. But I would say that those parts of the building that are
based on human needs like toilets and doors will not change that much.
Can you also explain the approach in your workshops? Do students
gain basic knowledge about generative design and will it be practical
for them in the future?
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Generative Design
Digitally designed and fabricated Karbandi dome (a Structure from old Iranian Bazaar). Karbandi Digital Design and Fabrication Workshop, 2012. Image courtasy of [morphogenesism].
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